Eldon, MO to El Dorado Springs, MO
It was Sunny and hot today. The Prevailing winds prevailed!T here was always a strong head wind to contend with. One of those days where you know you are on a flat road, pedaling effort is up there, you check and the road is barely going by, check the speed and it says 8 mph when with the effort applied it should say 20 mph. We were Happy to go 10mph.
Our reward for all our effort? A 45 dollar / night Motel! A classic place, classic as in it was put up in the 1940's and has not changed a lick since. 1950's pink bathroom with original fixtures in the bathroom. A bag I think will be required....
Our bodies would like a days rest but it is not in the plan. Maybe a rain day.
Our bicycle tires are starting to wear thin we are organizing a midcountry shipment of tires parts and general good will stuff (cookies and candy..)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Day 15 85 miles 3587 feet of climbing 11.5 Average
Hermann MO to Eldon, MOFinally we woke to dry roads and sun. Nice!!! We needed it. Cycling in the rain was getting old.
We crossed the Missouri River and started west along the Lewis and Clark Trail.
This is a hard packed gravel trail about 12’ wide that is over 100 miles long. We used a 35-mile portion of this trail. Along the route were rest areas with informational displays to read.
Along the route we came across a couple making a three-day cycling trip to Hermann where we just had come from. After chatting for a while we moved on.
In the distance we could see what appeared to be a large radio controlled airplane being flown. We were sure it was not a real plane because of the maneuvers it was making.
As we got closer we could see it was a real plane diving down and pulling up just before the tree line. A crop duster! What an amazing site to watch as the pilot dropped the plane just a few feet off the deck to spray. And then just when it looked like it was too late he pulled up and over the trees. He would then make a sharp diving turn and do it all over again.
We had a 110-mile day planned when our route took us to a road that appeared to be an interstate highway. Joe pulled out the laptop and we re-routed around the busy road. This sent us off route an bit and we realized we would not make our original destination.
Tonight we will tweak our route and see if we can come up with a new plan.
All and all we had a great day.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Day 14 110 miles 4410 feet of climbing 12.0 Average
Alton Illinois to Hermin Missouri
Today we crossed the Mississippi and entered Missouri saying so long to Illinois. 
Today we crossed the Mississippi and entered Missouri saying so long to Illinois. 
We are following the Lewis and Clark Trail as much as we can.
Another day of rain! There were some breaks in the clouds but overall we were wet again.
No flats today! No traffic either, just corn fields and farms. It was flat also until the last 30 miles and then the climbing started. All 4000 feet in the last 30 miles, it was a rude awakening after the first 70 miles were so flat.
Great dinner tonight and we are stating at a comfortable Bed and Breakfast in Hermin
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Day 13 100 miles 2252 feet of climbing 12.8 Average
Effingham IL to Alton IL
A “moist” start for us soon turned into our favorite riding condition…Rain.
We noticed the acres and acres of unplowed land as asked a farmer why they are not planted….Rain he said. The last time they had this much rain was in 1870! The ground is too saturated to plow and plant. Now we know why we are always so soggy.
By mid day the sun popped through the clouds and it ended up being a nice day.
We passed the Fry Farm and loved his “No Trespassing” sign and fine print.
Later in the day we reached a sign declaring that we were at the 90 degree Meridian. Our GPS units confirmed this. We were trying to set up our camera for a group photo on a discarded beer can. It was not working. Then we decided to try a rock for the picture when a woman in an SUV pulls up and gets out…. “Are you boys trying to all get in a photo?” she said.
Come to find out she saw Ken nearly standing on his head to view the camera screen on the beer can when she was going down the road. She turned her SUV around and came back to take our photo! How nice.
We have run into many nice people and super courteous drivers on this trip. This is just another example.
We expect to cross the mighty Mississippi River in the morning and enter the state of Missouri.
Speaking of Missouri… we just heard on the Weather Channel they have had one of the most active tornado season on record! 72 so far and June is the “busy” month! Oh boy…can’t wait.
Hey thanks goes out to Kelley Behrens who keeps our Blog page set up and again Rich Kushman who set up our web page.
Also thanks to everyone taking the time to read our story and send us emails…. We love em.
A “moist” start for us soon turned into our favorite riding condition…Rain.
We noticed the acres and acres of unplowed land as asked a farmer why they are not planted….Rain he said. The last time they had this much rain was in 1870! The ground is too saturated to plow and plant. Now we know why we are always so soggy.
By mid day the sun popped through the clouds and it ended up being a nice day.
We passed the Fry Farm and loved his “No Trespassing” sign and fine print.
Later in the day we reached a sign declaring that we were at the 90 degree Meridian. Our GPS units confirmed this. We were trying to set up our camera for a group photo on a discarded beer can. It was not working. Then we decided to try a rock for the picture when a woman in an SUV pulls up and gets out…. “Are you boys trying to all get in a photo?” she said.
Come to find out she saw Ken nearly standing on his head to view the camera screen on the beer can when she was going down the road. She turned her SUV around and came back to take our photo! How nice.
We have run into many nice people and super courteous drivers on this trip. This is just another example.
We expect to cross the mighty Mississippi River in the morning and enter the state of Missouri.
Speaking of Missouri… we just heard on the Weather Channel they have had one of the most active tornado season on record! 72 so far and June is the “busy” month! Oh boy…can’t wait.
Hey thanks goes out to Kelley Behrens who keeps our Blog page set up and again Rich Kushman who set up our web page.
Also thanks to everyone taking the time to read our story and send us emails…. We love em.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Day 12 105 miles, 3146 feet of climbing, 13.4 ave
Linton Indiana to Effingham Illinois
1214 miles done so far
Day 12 was about a couple of things.
The wind. 30 MPH all the time. Never east to west....
The flat. Illinois is flat (where we are anyway)
Straight. No curves. as far as one can see.
Farms..
1214 miles done so far
Day 12 was about a couple of things.
The wind. 30 MPH all the time. Never east to west....
The flat. Illinois is flat (where we are anyway)
Straight. No curves. as far as one can see.
Farms..
Monday, May 12, 2008
Day 11 121 miles 5559 feet of climbing 13.0 Average
Greensboro to Linton Indiana
We were glad to see dry roads when we got up this morning. Another soggy wet day of riding would have made for a depressing day.
The wind was still blowing strong out of the north but died down in the early afternoon making for some good cycling. The temperature was in the mid 70’s.
We found a bike path that paralleled our route for a few miles taking us off the roadway.
A nice paved path that ended by the Cummings Plant where they build diesel engines. We stopped for a quick photo and got back to business.
We still are waiting for the new tires to arrive replacing the possessed set on Ken’s bike. Sadly they have not arrived in time. Flat number 13 showed up with a bang as his rear tire blew coming off a gravel road we had traveled.
The climbing has moderated considerably compared to what we had during our first week.
Everyone’s contact point tenderness has passed….for now anyway. Normally this goes away in the first week. Our legs are feeling stronger and do not feel “worked” the next morning as they did a few days ago. Maybe it is the lack of serious climbing is giving us a false sense of strength. The Rockies will be the proof.
We will be leaving Indiana behind in the morning. Getting closer to our next big milestone. Crossing the Mississippi.
We were glad to see dry roads when we got up this morning. Another soggy wet day of riding would have made for a depressing day.
The wind was still blowing strong out of the north but died down in the early afternoon making for some good cycling. The temperature was in the mid 70’s.
We found a bike path that paralleled our route for a few miles taking us off the roadway.
A nice paved path that ended by the Cummings Plant where they build diesel engines. We stopped for a quick photo and got back to business.We still are waiting for the new tires to arrive replacing the possessed set on Ken’s bike. Sadly they have not arrived in time. Flat number 13 showed up with a bang as his rear tire blew coming off a gravel road we had traveled.
The climbing has moderated considerably compared to what we had during our first week.
Everyone’s contact point tenderness has passed….for now anyway. Normally this goes away in the first week. Our legs are feeling stronger and do not feel “worked” the next morning as they did a few days ago. Maybe it is the lack of serious climbing is giving us a false sense of strength. The Rockies will be the proof.
We will be leaving Indiana behind in the morning. Getting closer to our next big milestone. Crossing the Mississippi.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Day 10 76 miles 4215 feet of climbing 11.3 avg wet cold end of Ohio
Westchester OH to Greensburg Indiana
Not everyday can be a picture perfect cycling day. Guess what ….this was one of them.
The day started with a stiff chain link repair on Ken’s bike. We made the repair in the motel room then headed out to see what Mother Nature had on store for us on Mothers Day….. Hey Moms…. Happy Mothers Day…. You too Debbie…..Kittis Kount.
It was wet with rain coming down almost the entire day. The wind was horrendous in the late afternoon. We had steady winds in the 20 to 30 mph range with some serious gusts easily to 40mph. A tail wind you ask??? Not a chance. Nada.
When the road twisted north we were blasted with a cross wind that made it difficult to keep the bike on a straight path. When we rolled into a headwind 7mph was the top speed.
We stopped at “Pizza Pete” for lunch. The owner was a real friendly guy. He was interested in our journey and fired off a bunch of questions as we munched down a large pie and sodas. We told him of our journey and he told us about his last adventure. Fishing the Amazon River! Now that is nutty! Anyway when we were done he said “lunch is on me guys”… so cool.
With a late start due to weather and the difficult conditions we only squeaked off 76 miles…sad showing.
Not everyday can be a picture perfect cycling day. Guess what ….this was one of them.The day started with a stiff chain link repair on Ken’s bike. We made the repair in the motel room then headed out to see what Mother Nature had on store for us on Mothers Day….. Hey Moms…. Happy Mothers Day…. You too Debbie…..Kittis Kount.
It was wet with rain coming down almost the entire day. The wind was horrendous in the late afternoon. We had steady winds in the 20 to 30 mph range with some serious gusts easily to 40mph. A tail wind you ask??? Not a chance. Nada.
When the road twisted north we were blasted with a cross wind that made it difficult to keep the bike on a straight path. When we rolled into a headwind 7mph was the top speed.
We stopped at “Pizza Pete” for lunch. The owner was a real friendly guy. He was interested in our journey and fired off a bunch of questions as we munched down a large pie and sodas. We told him of our journey and he told us about his last adventure. Fishing the Amazon River! Now that is nutty! Anyway when we were done he said “lunch is on me guys”… so cool.
With a late start due to weather and the difficult conditions we only squeaked off 76 miles…sad showing.
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